Car theft leads to deadly shooting at Fort Worth motel, police say
Fort Worth police are searching for two suspects they say shot and killed a woman early Friday after she confronted them while trying to help recover a stolen vehicle.
Officers responded to a shooting at the Sun Valley Motel off Jacksboro Highway just after 5 a.m., police said. Investigators later learned the woman was with a male friend who was attempting to locate his stolen car.
"During the investigation, officers learned that a male adult male subject was with this adult female victim, and they were attempting to locate a stolen vehicle that belonged to the male," said Officer Brad Perez with the Fort Worth Police Department.
Confrontation outside motel turns deadly
Police said the pair encountered the suspects outside the motel without first reporting the theft to authorities. Motel employees declined to speak on camera but told CBS News Texas that both vehicles — the victims' and the suspects' — arrived around the same time. Investigators say a confrontation followed, ending in gunfire.
"When officers arrived, they located an adult female that had been shot one time," Perez said. "She was transported to a local hospital, and unfortunately, she did not survive her injuries."
Police urge public not to intervene
Police say there are still unanswered questions surrounding the case, but are using the deadly shooting as a warning to the public not to confront suspected thieves.
"Do not attempt to recover the vehicle itself," Perez said. "Stay back. Keep your eyes on if you can do that safely. However, call the police and say, 'Hey, listen, my vehicle was stolen.'"
Investigators working to identify suspects
Investigators say they will still pursue personal property theft cases when there is enough evidence, but identifying suspects can be difficult.
"Upon their arrival, they're going to obviously look for any possible evidence, witnesses, surveillance — anything at all that could potentially help with this offense," Perez said.
Police are also working to determine what led up to both the theft and the shooting, noting that car thefts often increase during colder months.
"Unfortunately, there are people that drive around, and all they simply have to do is look for exhaust coming out of an empty vehicle to realize that it's empty and it's on," Perez said.
Victim not yet identified
Police said two suspects were involved in the shooting. The victim's name has not yet been released by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Fort Worth Police Department.